MCB unveils new Harborplace details, including target groundbreaking

Happy Friday, readers.

College football season will be in full swing this weekend, and my Terps will face off against Florida Atlantic University in what I'm hoping will be a snoozer.

We're also just over a week away from the Ravens' rematch with the Buffalo Bills after last season's narrow loss in the AFC Divisional round. Get your light beer of choice and chip platters ready.

Now, let's get to this week's biggest non-football stories.

MCB unveils new Harborplace details, including target groundbreaking

MCB Real Estate will hold off on demolishing Harborplace's two pavilions until the firm has secured all its financing for a massive overhaul of the downtown landmark, officials said this week during a wide-ranging update on the project. | More on that, and other new details on the major project

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Hopkins, insurer fail to reach deal, pushing thousands out of network

Johns Hopkins Medicine and UnitedHealthcare have failed to come to a contract agreement after months of negotiations, pushing tens of thousands of patients out of network starting Monday. | What it means for the system and its patients

BWI Airport adds 5 routes, including to the Caribbean and Mexico

BWI Airport is getting five new routes from two different carriers, including flights to a tropical destination, an international resort hub and several Southern cities. | All about the additions

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Local groups jump to fill sudden void left by Baltimore County Chamber

Local chambers of commerce have jumped into action to pick up the pieces left behind by the abrupt closure of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce earlier this month. | What other chambers are doing in the aftermath

Columbia company agrees to buy Claire's

A Columbia-based company will acquire the North American business operations of Claire's, the 'tween mall retailer announced as it works through its second bankruptcy. | What we know about the deal

And, a brief reminder: Our work always looks pretty in print. In that spirit, here's a look at the second part of our series on AI.

'When AI Meets Main Street': BBJ explores AI's surge in business world

Last week, the first installment of our series, “When AI Meets Main Street,” showcased how local businesses have already begun to put AI to use in their industries.

This week, we're back with more big-picture coverage: How is AI impacting the tech hiring market and pushing out entry-level workers? What role does the technology have in the future of real estate? And when will restaurants be using robot waiters?

For more on how local business leaders are answering these questions, dive into the series here.

Questions or comments about this newsletter? Reach out to BBJ Digital Editor Joe Ilardi at jilardi@bizjournals.com.